City officials say the solid waste department picked up more than 6.6 million pounds of recycling material from residential customers during the month of December. That marks a record and represents an 11 percent increase over December 2013.

Last month's collection also exceeded the city's goal of 3,200 tons by 4 percent.

Officials say during the last fiscal year, Albuquerque's recycling program collected through its blue recycling carts nearly 70 percent more material over fiscal year 2013.

In the first six months of the current fiscal year, residents have already increased the amount of material they recycle by 13 percent.